It did say you could only use the energy in the water. Compressing air into it would be adding energy with air.

Hmmm. no really good idea. But I love this thread and can't wait to see the results.
I am definitely intrigued.

I glue 4 wheels to a boat and have siit in a trench (road) the bucket floods the trench pushing the egg carrying 'car' to the reactor.

Hmm, I'd try to come up with some sort of tower that will extend a trough-shaped boom using water pressure. The boom partially fills the "reactor" depression with the water used to extend the boom, then the egg is carried along the trough by the rest of the water.

Hmm..an out of the box idea but how do you transfer the soft egg into the 3" deep protective structure with it breaking?

and the vehicle must work on its own so a trench or road would not be allowed.

I don't think an source of potential energy could be used, like a rubber band.

A wheeled vehicle with a paddle wheel of sorts driven by the water, that has a string that would wind up to limit it'* travel and trip a device that would unwind the egg support to gently lower it at the precise destiination point, might work. Much experimentation would be required. Teamwork is always the key.

It says gravity can't be used, except as potential energy for the water. I take that to mean the water can flow downward, but whatever holds the water can't be pulled down by gravity.

thats a good point about the oscillation, that hadnt occurred to me. for some reason i was envisioning a smooth stop with no oscillation. in my mind, apparently, the rubber band took on the qualities most normally associated with a string.

now im envisioning a paddle-wheel attached to the rear axle and a string attached to the front axle. the string would go around a pulley at the front and up to a crane-like arm. as the front axle rolls, it pulls the string in, until the arm lowers the egg into place. the biggest concern, i think, would be making sure that the arm addition doesnt cause too much friction.


i must say, nancys ideas arent nearly as developed as those on here. i asked her what her group-mates had in mind after their session tonight, and basically they have only questions at this point. which is good, because theres a lot that needs clarifying. and they seem very concerned about budget.

EDIT: they apparently did come up with a "trench"-like idea, more of a big straw, but they quickly discarded it.

Oh and your fiance is not a mechanical engineer yet. She'* just a mechanical engineering student.
Being in the profession myself, you can't call someone an Engineer until they have graduated and fulfilled the requirements of the Association of Professional Engineers in your State, which usually means about 4 years of practical experience followed by an exam on legalities. After she graduates she will be an Engineer in Training (EIT).
I wish her the best. It'* a thankless but rewarding profession.